Melting Ice Kids' Science and Water Color Activity

Sometimes in the summer I just can’t stop it with the ice activities. It’s hot out, anything frozen melts easily and I tend to go a bit overboard. What frozen kids’ activities (the activities were kept chill, not the kids) have we been up to lately?

I’ve done icy building blocks, frozen chalk paint cubes, a rainbow race and now it’s time for timing how fast ice melts in different types of light (and it also doubles as a water color art exploration). This is super-simple, and combines science and art.

Before you begin start with a few questions. Ask your child to predict how fast he thinks the ice will melt. He can give you a specific time (such as 10 minutes) or use his own terms (all afternoon, until bedtime, etc.). Discuss why your child thinks the ice changes from a solid to a liquid and if it can go backwards.

Some vocabulary words to include are:

·        Solid

·        Liquid

·        Prediction

·        Ice

·        Data

What You’ll Need:

·        An ice cube tray

·        Food coloring

·        Water

·        White card stock paper

·        Timer – You can use your cell phone’s timer.

·        Paper – Other than card stock (you can use notebook paper or pieces of scrap).

·        A pencil

What to Do:

1.     Drip one or two drops of food coloring into each compartment of the ice cube tray. Use a few different hues.

2.     Add water. Stir the color and the water together.

3.     Freeze the cubes.

4.     Set up at least two (I used three, but you can create more) experimentation stations. Place the card stock inside and outside. Indoors, your child can pick a sunny window sill spot, a shaded table or another area. Outside, he can try an open light-filled area, under a tree or an in-between space.

5.     Take the cubes out of the freezer.
 

6.     Put at least two pieces of ice on each piece of paper.

7.     Note the time for each ice placement. Write the time on a separate piece of paper.

8.     Time how long it takes each ice station to start melting. Wait until your child sees the water colors running out onto the paper. Note the times.
 

9.     Paint with the melting cubes. Your child can push them around the paper, tilt the paper around or experiment with the process.

10.  Compare the melt times. Ask your child to look at the data (i.e., the times that you wrote down). Which one took the longest to melt? Which one was the quickest? Why?

You can use a piece of poster board and markers or crayons to write out the time differences. Have your child point to the biggest numbers and the smallest.

Are you looking for more science and art activities? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

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Oreo-Bottom Dirt Cupcakes

Who doesn’t like an Oreo-bottom chocolate cupcake? Ok, so if you’re nixing sugar, are going paleo or are otherwise on a healthy eating kick this really, really, really, REALLY isn’t for you. But, if you’re up for a tasty treat or have a party to plan (these cute cakes are perfect for summer picnics or backyard kids’ birthday bashes), give them a try!

I’m not the best baker. That said, even I can make an Oreo-bottom cupcake. They really take very little skill, and as a bonus the kids can pitch in and help to cook. I’ve made these little goodies before. This time I’m going with a dirt theme. Not that you, your child or party guests are begging to eat dirt, but it’s a fun way to dress up a cupcake (and it adds even more chocolate).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Chocolate cake mix – If you’ve got a favorite recipe, feel free to use it. If you’re challenged in the baking area (like I am), there’s no shame in using a boxed mix. That’s what it’s there for.

·        White frosting – Again, use your own recipe or try the pre-packaged stuff. I used a vanilla-marshmallow flavor.

·        Oreos

·        Cupcake tins with liners

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Mix the cake batter.

2.     Place one Oreo at the bottom of each lined cupcake pan compartment.

3.     Pour the batter over the cookies.

4.     Bake the cupcakes.

5.     Crush the rest of the Oreos. Use a blender or food processor to turn the cookies into a sand-like consistency.

6.     Take the cupcakes out of the oven (after they are completely baked), and let them cool.

7.     Frost the cakes.

8.     Sprinkle the cookie crumbles on top.

The cookies on top of the cupcakes will look like dirt! You can also add a few gummy worms or chocolate syrup (it looks like mud), for effect.

Are you looking for more cupcake recipes? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

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Learn with Play: 150+ Ideas for Year-round Fun & Learning Book Release!

I’m super-excited to announce the release of the new book Learn with Play: 150+ Ideas for Year-round Fun & Learning. Ok, so I’ am included in the book. But, it’s filled with more than 150 (obviously, based on the title) ideas, activities, projects, lessons, crafts and artsy adventures by some of the best bloggers out there.

 

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Seriously. The 94 co-authors from the Kid Blogger Network are all imaginatively awesome when it comes to creating kids’ activities. I’m pretty picky when it comes to big books like this. Between having my own child, teaching preschool-aged kids and teaching art classes, I’ve browsed quite a few crafty compilations. This one takes the cake. The ideas intelligent, creative and pure fun!

What will you find in Learn with Play: 150+ Ideas for Year-round Fun & Learning? All kinds of cool stuff! It includes sensory play, fine motor, arts and crafts, holiday projects, science, math, literacy, life skills, imaginative play and even area organization.

Why get this book? I know, I know. There are enough kids’ activities books out there to fill every bookshelf in your home. But, this one is special. The bloggers who co-authored it comes from a variety of backgrounds (and from all over the world), all adding their unique skill sets to the ideas. The activities are all hands-on, with detailed how-to steps and materials lists. The activities also bridge a wide range of ages. You’ll find ideas for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten kids!

Where can you get it? You can get a regular old-fashioned print copy, a Kindle edition or choose the ebook version. If you’re going with the ebook, during the first week of the release we’re offering a $5 discount, making it $9.95 (starting July 7, 2015).

The regular prices are as follows:

·        Print copies are available from Amazon for $29.95.

·        The Kindle edition is also available on Amazon and is $14.95.

·        The ebook’s regular price is $14.95 (this is the price after the initial launch week).

 

Science and Art: Red, White and Blue Frozen Chalk Paint

Frozen chalk, what is it and why? It seems fairly straightforward – frozen pieces of chalk, right? How would that work? Let me tell you. Not well. But, when you make frozen chalk ice cubes it becomes a water color paint.

Combine science and art into one activity! We’ve made frozen chalk before. So, this time it has a red, white and blue theme. Try this for any patriotic holiday (such as July 4^th or Memorial Day) or use it as a color-mixing exploration.

The Science Part

Your child is observing physical properties all of the time, whether he realizes it or not (chances are – not). This science exploration lets him discover how liquids change into solids and then back to liquids again during the freezing and unfreezing process. It also adds in the chalk, which makes it somewhat different that the typical ice experiment.

Before you get started, ask your child a few questions such as:

·        Is the stick of chalk a solid, liquid or gas?

·        When we smoosh the chalk what will it turn into?

·        What will happen when we add water to the chalk and put it in the freezer?

·        How do you think we are going to be able to turn the chalk into water color paints?

After making a few predictions about what will happen it’s time for …

The Art Part

Ok, so really this is art and science together.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Red, white and blue chalk—Your child can also try this with other colors or just use the primaries (red, yellow and blue) for a complete color-mixing activity.

·        Water

·        An ice cube tray

·        Card stock paper – I prefer to use a heavier weight paper, as it holds the chalk water colors better.

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Crush the chalk. There are several different ways to do this. We like putting the chalk into a baggie and smashing it with the back of a large wooden spoon. I’ve also found that this works best when the chalk is warm (heat it in the sun) first. But, you child can figure out other ways to smash it (dropping it on the ground, throwing it on the patio or using another tool to break it apart).
 

2.     Add a tablespoon or so of chalk to each compartment of the ice cube tray.
 

3.     Pour water in on top of the chalk.
 

4.     Put the tray into the freezer for a few hours (or overnight).

5.     Pop the frozen cubes out.
 

6.     Move them around the paper. As they melt, the colors will begin to mix. Ask your child what the red and blue are making (i.e., purple). Also have your child observe what the white chalk paint does to the darker colors (it makes them lighter).
 

Are you looking for more kids’ art and science activities? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

 

 

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DIY Chalk Paint for Kids' Art Activities

The kids want to paint, but you’re all out of tempera. Ok, so it’s not exactly a major emergency. But, a DIY paint recipe could come in handy just about right now. If you have some sidewalk chalk and school glue sitting around, you’re in business!

I’m a fan of make your own paints. Why? Because you can completely customize them to the kiddo’s liking. For example, a few weeks ago we made slime paint. It’s messy, sticky and kind of gross. But, it’s also super-dun and not your regular art materials.

This recipe lets the kids make their own creamy paint for using with a brush or their hands. As a bonus, it only really requires two ingredients. That means if you don’t have the stuff on hand, you don’t have to spend all day shopping or go to five different craft stores just to do a little art activity.

Another plus of this painting project is that it encourages sensory exploration. Add more chalk to make a chunky consistency or pour in more glue to make a slick, smooth version.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Colorful chalk

·        Clear-drying school glue

·        Plastic baggies

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Crush the chalk. This is the probably the most challenging part of the activity. Put a piece of chalk into a baggie and crush it. Your child can use the back of a wooden spoon to grind the chalk into a sand-like consistency. If the chalk just won’t crush, set it in the sun to warm it up first. This softens it up a bit, making it easier to crush.

 

2.     Make piles of different colors of chalk on a piece of wax paper. The paper acts as a barrier to protect your work surface.

 

3.     Mix in the glue. Add a puddle to the center of each chalk pile. The less you add, the thicker it will be.

4.     Paint! Your child can use a brush to create a picture or finger paint an abstract work of art.

Are you looking for more creative kids’ crafts? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

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Rainbow Ice Art Race

It’s an ice race! If the kids are spending the sweltering summer days complaining that they’re hot, bored and need something to do, try this science-art combo! When your kids get crafty with this easy art activity the result is educational entertainment (shhh, don’t tell them that they’re actually learning!).

Use ice to explore color mixing and states of matter. If you’re wondering how your child can use an ice cube to create colors – it’s simple. The ice isn’t the regular run-of-the-mill clear cube. Instead, your child will help you to make a batch of rainbow-hued ice to use for this summer activity. As your child goes through this project, help her to explore the process she’s engaging in. Ask questions, encourage her to ask her own questions and remind her that there’s no ‘right’ result. In the end her craft may look fairly abstract (chances are almost 100 percent that it will). And, that’s perfectly ok!

Here’s What You Need:

·        1 ice cube tray

·        Food coloring

·        Water

·        Thick white paper – Use something matte, such as card stock. Avoid shiny poster board paper (the color will run too quickly on a slick surface).

·        Optional: Salt

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Squeeze a drop or two food coloring into each compartment of the ice cube tray. Try making each section a different color. Add another layer to this step and mix the primaries (red, blue and yellow) into the secondaries (purple, green and orange).

2.     Add water to each compartment. Putting the tray under a running faucet may cause the colors to splash everywhere. Reuse an old water bottle, filling it up and gently adding the liquid to each color.

3.     Freeze the ice cubes.

4.     Place the paper on a table or another work surface (and outdoor patio is an easy-to-clean option). Ask your child to predict what she thinks will happen when she puts the colorful cubes on the paper. Also ask what will happen when two different colors of cubes meet up.

5.     Pop the frozen color cubes out. Let each rest in its tray compartment (if you toss them into one big bowl or put them on a plate the colors will start mixing before your child is ready).

6.     Line the cubes up at the top of the paper. Get ready, set and go!
 

7.     Push the cubes down the length of the paper, making streams of rainbow lines. Your child can also try lifting one end of the paper to make the cubes slide. Watch as they melt and the colors begin to mix together during the race.
 

8.     Optional: Sprinkle salt on a cube or two to see what happens. Question your child before, asking her if she thinks it will make the ice melt slower or faster.

Your child can repeat the ice art activity until it’s all melted. Try other configurations of cubes or stack them into a pyramid (and see what happens as they melt away). If the ice isn’t exactly melting, your child can chip and flake it onto the paper with the end of a spoon.

Are you looking for more summer at? Follow my Pinterest board for activity ideas!

 

 

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Blue Raspberry Scented Playdough Recipe

DIY playdough is fun enough as is, but add a scent to it and it’s even more of a sensory experience. Making your own sculpt dough isn’t exactly Earth-shattering, ground-breaking art. I’m still pretty much using the same recipe that I started using years ago in my pre-mom days when I used to teach preschoolers.

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There are two things that I can’t stand about this playdough recipe: 1. The smell (it’s from the flour and cream of tartar), and 2. The color (again, from the flour). I’ve added berries, glitter and more to make the dough more likeable (at least, to me). My son truly enjoyed the berry version. That was in part due to the fact that it came out looking like a Halloween brain mush.

This time we’re adding blue raspberry Kool-Aid. It’s my favorite flavor. Why? Because no raspberry was ever electric blue in nature. Also, I adore that ‘blue’ in itself is a flavor. The scent truly covers up the playdoughy smell and makes the color much more – well, colorful!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        2 ½ cups water

·        2 ½ cups flour

·        3-5 tablespoons vegetable oil

·        1 ½ tablespoons cream of tartar

·        1 cup salt

·        1 package ‘blue’ drink mix powder

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Mix all of the ingredients in a big bowl. Mix the powdered drink with the water first.

 

2.     Cook the mix on the stove over a medium heat. Stir it often. If the watery part of the dough starts to boil, turn the heat down and stir it a bit more.
 

3.     Continue heating and stirring until you only have dough left (i.e., no water).

4.     Spoon the dough into a bowl and let it cool.
 

Now it’s ready for mashing, smashing, rolling, tossing and of course – smelling!

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